Disney/Pixar Animation Studios Artist Showcase Series

I have always been a huge fan of book jackets. I love lifting them up and sometimes finding a whole different picture underneath the original cover, as if the illustrator could not decide which one he liked more, so he put both representations of what he wanted to convey on that first thing you see (the cover) and those of us smart enough to peak underneath can find a true treasure. Disney/Pixar has started producing Artist Showcase Books – “A series of original picture books that put the spotlight on the incredible artists of Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios” and so far, the two books I have seen from this series are incredible. The illustrations and characters will welcome you into their worlds and you will constantly want to return.

 

In Bug Zoo by Andy Harkness, a young boy named Ben who loves bugs is motivated by a trip to the city zoo to create his own bug zoo. When no one comes to see his exhibit he contemplates why that could be as well as the emotions of the bugs in their new residences. Ben learns that all living things have their proper place in this world and that there is a use for every empty jar one may find. Any child who LOVES bugs will love the illustrations in this book and any child who HATES bugs will also love this book. The end papers of the book are filled with facts about the bugs depicted in the story along with instructions on the best ways to catch some of them. The bright colors, attention to detail and Ben's high spirits will truly make young children want to play outside and discover the insects living among them. (And don’t forget to look inside the jacket cover for another amazing image!) This book will be available for purchase on February 16, 2016.

Cloud Country by Noah Klocek is one of those picture books you aren’t sure of it’s intended audience, but once you read it you feel you must share it with everyone you know. Is it for children looking to find their place in the world or is it for adults as a lesson on how to teach each child based on their personal abilities? I believe that to be the magic of this book - there is truly something for every reader. The child will relate to Gale, a little cloud who loves to gaze at the Earth from above when she should be studying for her final on how to create perfect cloud formations. When she masters creating clouds that are a little out of the ordinary for her world, the Head Guardian realizes she has a talent to create “Land Shapes” and instead of ostracizing her for not creating a “Cumulus Cloud”, he honors her the position of “Daydream Cloud” - to create the shapes we think we see when we look up at clouds in the sky, a message all parents and teachers can be reminded of: that even if your child does something a little different than expected, it does not make it any less extraordinary and should be celebrated (within reason). The illustrations in this book truly transform you into the stratosphere and will truly make you feel like you are right there at the cloud school final with Gale. I encourage you to take a look at this very cool behind the scenes video with Noah Klocek about how he created this masterpiece: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQrUBrzOKfI (And don’t forget to check under the book jacket!!) 

Star Wars Mania

The night my son asked me to tell him a bedtime story about Star Wars I realized my children might watch too much television. When I asked him what he knew about Star Wars he said “Like the show Star Wars Rebels with Chopper”. He has never seen the show, but he has seen many commercials for Star Wars Rebels on Disney Junior and countless commercials for all the new toys related to the new movie. So I made up a story using the names of the Star Wars characters I know and I thought that was the end of it. It wasn’t and my son started asking me a million questions about the force. A few months ago I got a World of Reading Star Wars book called Use the Force! and decided my son should read it with me, though I think a four year old is a little young for good vs evil and all the violence that comes with Star Wars. My son is SO into this book he can practically read it himself.

  

Fortunately, the new Star Wars movie has some great companion books. I was even more fortunate to get my hands on 5 Minute Star Wars Stories which touches upon all seven movies and now I no longer need to make up my own stories about Han Solo. My son is definitely not watching any Star Wars movies or television shows anytime soon and I am okay with him telling me every picture of Kylo Ren is Darth Vader because that is the power of a book, it keeps his imagination running wild and the vivid imagery of violence at bay. If you have any young children interested in the Star Wars franchise, these books were made for your home library!

Disney/Pixar's The Good Dinosaur

What if the asteroid that was supposed to destroy the dinosaurs missed? It would lead to an interesting friendship between a little boy named Spot and a dinosaur named Arlo. This is the premise for Disney/Pixar’s newest film, The Good Dinosaur. If your child can’t get enough of Spot and Arlo, here are some books to keep the dinosaurs alive in your home.

A Berry for Arlo – Jerrod Maruyama

Spot finds a branch of berries and wants to share it with his friend Arlo. His only problem is that he needs to GET to Arlo and there are many obstacles in the way (and many of them like berries too!). In this die-cut board book you will meet all kinds of dinosaurs and children will love joining Spot on his adventure to get a treat to his friend. With bright pictures that resemble the movie, children will want to read this over and over again. (Ideal for preschoolers ages 3-5.)

A Friend in the Wild – Brandi Dougherty

Spot and Arlo live in the wild and share their tips for survival in this adorable story about true friendship. The advice is actually relevant, like having sturdy shelter and knowing your plants (leaves of three – let them be). The message of working together, having fun and sticking together is helpful in guiding any friendship both domestically and in the wild. The pictures compliment the text beautifully and the facial expressions on Spot and Arlo really bring life to every page. You will love this manual for life! (Ideal for children ages 6-8.)

Fall Is In The Air!

My family does not celebrate Halloween (unless you count buying the candy for 75% off the day after “celebrating”), but all the costumes and decorations are already being displayed and it is hard to avoid. In another week children’s television shows will already be airing their Halloween episodes and that is really when I start to feel the fall season in full swing (even if we are still wearing short sleeves). I am really excited about the new Halloween books out this season which range from baby to big kid which I urge you to check out and even though my kids won’t be carving pumpkins or dressing up like many of the characters in these stories, I love sharing with them the spirit of the season by making pumpkin cookies (here’s our favorite recipe: http://www.bakedbyrachel.com/soft-batch-frosted-pumpkin-cookies/http://www.bakedbyrachel.com/soft-batch-frosted-pumpkin-cookies/ ).

Disney Tails: Figaro’s Halloween Surprise

This is an adorable touch and feel book starring Minnie’s pet cat. Figaro decides to create a “spooktacular surprise” for his friend Cleo and young readers will be able to feel the crisp leaves, ripe pumpkins, soft noses and costumes. This brightly illustrated story brings the colors and spirit of the Halloween season to life.

Seven Orange Pumpkins – Stephen Savage

This Halloween counting book incorporates everyone’s favorite spooky aspects of this holiday. Count down with skeletons, pirates, owls, mummies, witches, black cats and spiders. The nighttime illustrations set the tone beautifully and with the vibrant rhyming text this is sure to be a counting book read all year round.

Mickey’s Halloween – A Lift the Flap Book

I love a lift the flap book. I especially love this particular one because it caters to children who are old enough NOT to rip the flaps. With a rhyme and look and find on every page, this book is really perfect for a three to five year old who will appreciate lifting the flaps to find their favorite characters dressed in costume, help to collect treats and spot familiar shapes and animals on every page.

Peter Rabbit – The Great Pumpkin

The lovable Peter Rabbit (from the hit television series on Nick Jr.) is celebrating Pumpkin Day with his family and friends. Obviously, he needs a giant pumpkin from Mr. McGregor’s garden and runs into trouble in the process of getting it. Luckily, Peter and his friends always come up with a plan and celebrate the holiday in style. The graphics are so vivid and the story is not specifically Halloween and can be used for any fall themed story time. The last pages have instructions to carve your own pumpkin and a certificate for completing your lantern creation.

Room on the Broom Big Activity Book – Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

Your source for all Halloween and fall activities lies in the book. Perfect to keep any young child busy for hours with fun, this book is filled with games – dot to dot, complete the scene with stickers, matching, look and find, word searches, mazes, crosswords, and more. There are a ton of stickers, coloring and drawing opportunities and recipes to cook festive Halloween snacks (I am all about the Star Cookies). The book has an answer key in the back for each activity and is filled with seasonal characters and themes including witches, brooms, magic spells, and dragons. You can also check out the website for printable activities. You will love playing games with this witch! http://roomonthebroom.com/activities/ 

The Greatness of Disney Publishing

(My 2 year old daughter's homemade birthday cake)

Like many parents I know, my life revolves around many things Disney. The shows I watch, the toys I buy, the birthday cakes I’ve baked and lately, the books I am reading to my children all consist of Minnie, Miles, Sheriff Callie, Peso or Henry. Disney publishing knows how to give emerging readers books they WANT to read in their World of Reading Easy Readers and they give every young child the best bedtime stories in their 5-Minute Series.

World of Reading

Whether your child is in Pre-K and learning sight words or is in first grade and they read on their own, these books should be in everyone’s collection. The stories are all based on the television episodes which makes each story easy to understand and makes a child a more confident reader. Words like “griffin” in a Sofia the First story or “hologram” in a Miles From Tomorrowland book will not seem so foreign in context since many of the kids reading the stories have seen the episode (or you can show the child the episode after reading the story and watch those new words come to life). The World of Reading Books are broken down into 4 levels ranging from Pre-K to Third grade and includes the Lexile level for reference. Whether your young reader loves Sheriff Callie’s Wild West or Star Wars, there is definitely a World of Reading reader waiting for them!

 

5 Minute Series

When my children want to continue watching television after screen time is over, we often open 5-Minute Disney Junior Stories to keep the television characters alive. The book has 12 stories, all episodes of Doc McStuffins, Minnie and Sofia the First that my kids love to hear over and over again. My Minnie lover also owns 5 Minute Minnie Tales – 12 Minnie adventures filled with everyone’s favorite Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Characters. Have a Frozen fan? There’s a 5-minute book for her! Pixar, Princess or Marvel characters more your speed? There are 5-minute books for those enthusiasts too. These are great books to have in your Disney collection, and I guarantee there will be more than story shared at a sitting!

Get the most out of the last few weeks of summer vacation and log those summer reading hours with books your kids will actually enjoy sitting and reading over and over. Disney truly knows how to make every childhood experience magical!